By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Boxing Beat

WBA super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (30-2-1, 15 KOs) will defend his newly acquired belt against WBA#8 Venezuelan Josber Perez (20-3, 18 KOs) in Tokyo, Japan, on New Year’s Eve. His first defense will take place at Ota-city General Gymnasium. It was publicly announced by Shisei Promotions on Monday with an on-line appearance of the challenger Perez. Originally expected to make a long-awaited unification bout with WBC counterpart Juan Francisco Estrada on the year-end card, but the negotiation finally fell through and then Ioka’s initial defense since his acquisition of the WBA belt from Joshua Franco this June–against Perez–became an alternative card.

Ioka said at the press conference, “I had been highly motivated to fight Estrada, but I wish to fight on the customary New Year’s Eve and win over Perez very convincingly.” Perez, who once had an ambitious crack at WBA flyweight kingpin Artem Dalakian only to lose on points in February 2020, confidently said, “I’ve been always training to welcome any sudden offer to come, and wish to bring the world belt back to Venezuela.” It will be our pleasure that we can watch Ioka fight before the prosperous 2024 comes, wishing a good entertaining fight.

Super welterweight Sona Akale (8-1, 4 KOs), also known as Slink Proper, will headline a boxing card on October 9 at Element Gym in St Paul, Minnesota. , on Saturday, December 9. His opponent will be Tray Martin (3-6, 2 KOs) in a six rounder. Akale made headlines in August when he upset Nico Ali-Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, in a nationally televised fight in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Slink earned a lot of respect last summer for his victory, but in boxing it’s all about what have you done lately,” said trainer Quincy Caldwell. “Slink has a chance on this card to prove he’s ready to be scheduled regularly for boxing’s primetime.”

Top Rank won the promotional rights for the vacant WBA featherweight world title fight between Otabek Kholmatov and Raymond Ford. TR offered an amount of US$ 317,500.00, while giving three possible options of date and place to make the fight. The first is February 16 in New York; the second is February 17 in Riyadh; and the third is March 2, in New York.

Matchroom Boxing also participated in the bidding, offering US$ 255,555.55 in the bidding that took place through Zoom this morning.

Kholmatov and Ford are the top two rated 126-pounders and will contest the world title that was recently vacated due to former champion Leigh Wood’s move up in weight.

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

We enter the final stretch of this wonderful 2023, a year full of great things for boxing worldwide.

Some of the most important fights have taken place around the world, packed arenas and stadiums, with high ratings on multiple television stations and platforms. Women’s boxing has already established itself as a great force in the sport, Saudi Arabia has already positioned itself as a reality to promote mega-cards, and the WBC reaffirmed its convening power and leadership in the sport with its recent annual Convention in Uzbekistan, which produced an extensive plan of action for 2024.

One of the great purposes for the WBC will be to continue the process of unity in all areas of boxing: respect and collaboration between promoters, platforms, organizations, and all members of this industry which is totally fragmented. Continue reading “December, the last round of 2023!”

There is under two weeks to go until Devin Haney and Regis Prograis – and the fierce rivals drew their lines in the sand ahead of the battle in an intense Face-Off that has been compelling viewing since premiering on Matchroom’s YouTube channel on Sunday. Haney and Prograis clash at Chase Center in San Francisco on December 9, live.

The “Celebration of a Life” for Colonel Bob Sheridan will take place today, Monday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. PT at:

The Space LV
3460 Cavaretta Court
Las Vegas, NV 89103

For those unable to attend, the event will be livestreamed at:

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Although Adrien Broner is sidelined with an injury, promoter Don King still has five action packed title fights on tap Saturday night on the People’s Championship boxing card at Casino Miami Jai Alai.

“We’ve got five spectacular and action-packed title fights ready for our boxing fans of South Florida,” said King. “And since we lost one title fight, we’ve set a holiday special price of $25 for this fantastic evening. It’s the People’s Championship.”

WBA Continental America’s Middleweight Champion Ian Green (17-2, 11 KOs), who has shown his talents at Casino Miami in the past, will defend his title against Vaughn Alexander (18-7-1, 11 KOs) of St. Louis, MO, in the main event. Continue reading “DKP lineup set for Saturday in Miami”

Boxlab Promotions is proud to announce they will host the World Boxing Association (WBA) KO Drugs fight card Friday, December 8 at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, FL. The card will air live on DAZN at 7:30 PM ET.

The KO Drugs fight card precedes the 2023 WBA Convention, which takes place December 11-15 at the Caribe Royale Resort. The 2022 WBA Convention was also held at the Caribe.

“The WBA is honored to return to our home, the Caribe Royale Resort” said WBA President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza. “We are confident that our 2023 convention will be even better than last year’s. Prior to this great event, we have a spectacular KO Drugs fight card. That is the hallmark of Boxlab Promotions.” Continue reading “WBA KO Drugs card Dec 8 in Orlando”

I reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is

“I think I just solidified myself as a dominant force here,” said David “El Monstruo” Benavídez after he defended his WBC interim super middleweight title against Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade. “I just reminded everyone who the real champion at 168 is. Who wants to see me versus Canelo? I’m going to be super middleweight champion of the world, three-time world champion. Now, just give me the fight that we all want to see. Who wants to see Benavídez versus Canelo?

“Everybody says I’m not this, I’m not that, I’m flat-footed, I have no defense. This guy probably applied one of the best defenses. He’s really good offensively. He could barely even hit me, so I think that says a lot on its own. I just have to keep beating who they put in front of me. I’m the best. I’m going to be the best. I’m going to be a legend by the time I’m done, so whoever you keep putting in front of me, I’ll keep knocking them down.

“Let’s give the people what they want to see. They want to see Benavídez versus Canelo.”

* * *

Demetrius Andrade stated, “I’ll be back – back to the drawing board. I moved up in weight classes. I’ll work on my body a little more and I’ll be right back at it. I thought overall I did everything I needed to do to get the bigger man off me. David’s definitely a hell of a fighter. Nobody was even willing to get in the ring with him. I tried to become a three-division world champion. That’s not far-fetched. David was the man tonight. Benavídez is the bigger man.”

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Kevin Lerena won the WBC interim bridgerweight title on a unanimous 12 round points decision against Senad Gashi who was more intent on pushing and fouling throughout at the Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night.

In a battle of southpaws there was nothing in it through the first four rounds with Lerena possibly shading rounds three and four. However, Lerena (100kg) picked up the pace in the fourth round with Gashi (99.50kg) warned for a low blow by referee Michael Griffiths from Canada.

The 31-year-old Lerena began to dominate through rounds six, seven and eight scoring with his right hand jab, with Gashi only intent on fouling and pushing. Lerena remained in control in rounds nine ten and eleven with little coming back from the 33-year-old Gashi. Continue reading “Kevin Lerena wins WBC interim title”

Bring on Canelo!

In a clash between undefeated super middleweights, WBC interim champion David “El Monstruo” Benavidez (28-0, 24 KOs) stopped two-division champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (32-1, 19 KOs) in six rounds on Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

The quicker Andrade had success swarming Benavidez with rapid-fire punches. Benavidez, however, dropped Andrade hard in round four and continued to batter Andrade in rounds five and six. The bout was stopped after round six.

In a grudge match, undefeated WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo (32-0, 22 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over José Benavídez Jr. (28-3-1, 19 KOs) in a non-title WBC special event on Saturday night’s Benavidez-Andrade card at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Returning after nearly 2 1/2 years, Charlo was stronger than the aggressive Benavidez and won most of the rounds. Benavidez was wobbled in the tenth. Scores were 98-92, 99-91, 100-90.

IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matías (20-1, 20 KOs) stopped previously unbeaten mandatory challenger Shohjahon Ergashev (23-1, 20 KOs) after round five on the Benavidez-Andrade card Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Good start for Ergashev, but Matias’ pressure started paying dividends in round four. The fight was stopped after more punishment in round five.

Mandatory challenger Lamont Roach (24-1-1, 9 KOs) dethroned WBA super featherweight champion Héctor Luis Garcia (16-2, 10 KOs) by twelve round split decision on the Benavidez-Andrade card Saturday night at the Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Roach rocked Garcia in round eleven and dropped him in round twelve to win 114-113, 116-111 on two cards. The third card was 114-113 Garcia.

In a WBC super featherweight title eliminator, Muhammadkhuja Yaqubov (21-1, 11 KOs) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Pablo Vicente (23-2, 17 KOs). Yaqubov is now the mandatory challenger for WBC champion O’Shaquie Foster.

Super lightweight Michel (La Zarza Ali) Rivera (25-1, 14 KOs) outboxed former world champion Sergey Lipinets (17-3-1, 13 KOs) over ten rounds. Scores were 97-93, 97-93, 96-94.

Super welterweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. (16-1, 11 KOs) annihilated Alexis Salazar (25-6, 10 KOs) in the first round. Salazar down three times.

Female star Katie Taylor (23-1, 6 KOs) avenged her loss to undisputed super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron (18-1, 8 KOs) with a ten round majority decision on Saturday night at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. Cameron suffered a gash on her forehead from a headbutt. Good two-way action with the quicker Taylor pulling away to a 95-95, 98-92, 96-94 verdict.

Lightweight Gary Cully (17-1, 10 KOs) took a ten round split decision over Reece Mould (18-2, 6 KOs) in a bout for the WBA Continental Europe title. Rebounding from a shock loss to Jose Felix in May, Cully won on two cards 96-93 and 97-93. Mould was up 97-93 on the third card.

Unbeaten welterweight Paddy Donovan (12-0, 9 KOs) knocked out Danny Ball (13-2-1, 6 KOs) in the fourth round in a bout for the WBA Continental title. Donovan dropped Ball, then sent him to the canvas again after a furious assault. Time was 2:41. Continue reading “Taylor dethrones Cameron in rematch”

Photos: Emily Harney

David Benavidez 167 vs. Demetrius Andrade 167.5
(WBC interim super middleweight title)

Jermall Charlo 166.5 vs. Jose Benavidez Jr 161.75
(163lb catch weight, non-title)

Subriel Matias 139.75 vs. Shohjahon Ergashev 139.75
(IBF junior welterweight title)

Hector Luis Garcia 129.5 vs. Lamont Roach 129.5
(WBA super featherweight title)

Sergey Lipinets 139.4 vs. Michel Rivera 138.8
Vito Mielnicki Jr 153.2 vs. Alexis Salazar 152.8

Venue: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
Promoter: TGB Promotions
TV: PPV, Showtime YouTube/Facebook pages

More Photos

Unbeaten lightweight Mark Chamberlain (14-0, 10 KOs) scored a spectacular tenth round KO against Artjoms Ramlavs (16-3, 8 KOs) on Friday night at the famed York Hall in London. After a grueling and bloody nine rounds, Chamberlain hurt and dropped Ramlavs in the tenth round to dramatically end it. Time was 1:21. Chamberlain retained his IBF Euro belt.

Both Chantelle Cameron and Katie Taylor made weight for their undisputed female world super lightweight title rematch. Cameron weighed 139.5 pounds, Taylor weighed 139.6 pounds.

Gary Cully 134.5 vs. Reece Mould 134.1
Paddy Donovan 146.6 vs. Danny Ball 146.7
Thomas Carty 254.3 vs. Dan Garber 220.5
Skye Nicolson 125.2 vs. Lucy Wildheart 125.4
Zelfa Barrett 132.3 vs. Costin Ion 132.3
Emmet Brennan 170.3 vs. Jamie Morrisey 169.7
John Cooney 129.6 vs. Liam Gaynor 128.8
Giorgio Visioli 134.9 vs. Lee Anthony Sibley 133.5

Venue: 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Promoter: Matchroom
TV: DAZN

Mark Chamberlain 133.5 vs. Artjoms Ramlavs 134
Henry Turner 139.5 vs. Billy Allington 139
Liam Williams 164 vs. Florin Cardos 164
Ben Fail 158 vs. Nikola Stoyanov 154
Khalid Ali 149 vs. Fernando Mosquera 148
Kristina O’hara 105 vs. Cristina Navarro 105
Billy Adams 133 vs. Jahfieus Faure 132
Charlie Hickford 126 vs. Jake Pollard 126

Venue: York Hall, London
Promoter: Queensberry
Tv: TNT Sports 2 (UK)

Undisputed female super lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron and archrival Katie Taylor faced off at the final press conference. for their rematch on Saturday at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, shown live worldwide on DAZN.

Chantelle Cameron: “I’ve had great preparation, I’m the fittest and strongest that I have ever been, I don’t have a torn tricep this time, so I am good to go.”

Katie Taylor: “I feel a lot better this time around. I’m just ready to fight. I hate all the talk, I hate all these press conferences, there’s nothing to say, I am just excited and ready. I am always ready for whatever comes my way, ready to dig deep if I have to, that’s why I put my body through the trenches week in, week out to be ready for these situations.”

Undefeated super middleweight superstar David “El Monstruo” Benavídez and unbeaten two-division world champion Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade kicked off fight week events in Las Vegas on Wednesday, as they participated in an open media workout ahead of their Showtime PPV headliner this Saturday from Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.

David Benavídez: “I agreed to this fight with Andrade because he’s the hardest. Other than myself, he’s the best in the division. He’s the hardest task besides Canelo, so I want to challenge myself. I really do want to be the best, and I’m telling you guys that I don’t want there to be a doubt in anyone’s head that I’m the best at the super middleweight division. That’s exactly what I’m going to do…To be honest with you, I’m not worried about Canelo. I’m not worried about anybody. My job is to clear out the division, and that’s exactly what I intend on doing. I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be the best in the division. This is the start of the Benavídez era…I’m going for a knockout Saturday night.”

Demetrius Andrade: “I’m ready to rumble. I feel great. We’re going to put on a great show. It’s me again, baby. It’s showtime…I’m going to frustrate him. You’ll see on Saturday night. When he’s not able to do what he wants to do, it’s going to play into my advantage.”

Wednesday’s event also featured WBC middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo and José Benavídez Jr., who will meet in a 10-round non-title WBC special event in the co-main event.

Jermall Charlo: “I’ve got him shook. He’s shook right now. He doesn’t know what to expect. He can’t size me up. He doesn’t know where I’m at in my mind. He doesn’t know where I’m at physically. It’s going to be a fight. It’s going to be a war…I’m going to break him down inside the ring and outside the ring. I’m going to make sure I keep doing what I’m doing. In 2024, I’m going to give you all a lot more action and a lot more Jermall Charlo. I’m the new Jermall.”

José Benavídez Jr: “I’ll leave all of the talking in the ring. I don’t really care what Charlo is doing, what people think, I’m ready. I’m going to show him who the real champion is at 160. I’m going to show the world what I’m made of…I’m going to take Charlo out. I’m going to stop him. One hundred percent guaranteed. I’ll put money on it.”

https://www.youtube.com/live/XR1t7KT7aME?si=TTEBPuGF4CB3_UB8&t=252

By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of José Sulaimán – President of the WBC

As I write this column, I am on the other side of the world, where we have been celebrating the Annual Convention of our World Boxing Council.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a clean, modern, attractive, and orderly city with its own individual majestic character and identity. Furthermore, its people are kind, polite, friendly, welcoming, and noble.

We had a wonderful convention in which we had the attendance of 1,137, with delegates from 102 countries. It was called “Convention of World Peace and Unity.” Its most significant moment was having received a message by videoconference from the Holy Father Pope Francis, in which he gave a blessing to the entire WBC family and the entire community of the boxing world. Continue reading “Uzbekistan WBC Convention one of the best ever!”

Unbeaten super welterweight Nikita Tszyu (8-0, 7 KOs) scored a crushing fifth round TKO over previously unbeaten Australian 154lb champion Dylan Biggs (10 1, 7 KOs on Wednesday night at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, NSW, Australia. Tszyu roared back after suffering a first round knockdown. It was a firefight for the next two rounds. Tszyu punished Biggs in a dominant round four, then mercilessly blasted Biggs to the canvas in the fifth. Biggs beat the count, but the bout was stopped moments later. Tszyu is the son of ring legend Kostya Tszyu and brother of current WBO junior middleweight champion Tim Tszyu.